Josh Goforth Music

Josh Goforth must have been born musical—he was already playing piano in church at the age of four— but it was an experience he had in the sixth grade that really lit the fuse of his precocious musical career. A performance at Goforth's middle school by Sheila Kay Adams caused him to start thinking about the musical heritage and stories of his native Madison County, NC. Josh was able to listen and learn from local masters like Gordon and Arvil Freeman and Jerry Adams. Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician playing close to 20 different instruments. After high school he went to East Tennessee State University to study music education with a Euphonium concentration, and to be a part of ETSU's famous Bluegrass and Country Music Program. In 2000, he played fiddle for the movie Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has toured extensively with a variety of ensembles, including the ETSU Bluegrass band, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, and with several bluegrass bands like Appalachian Trail, the Josh Goforth Trio, the Steep Canyon Rangers and Open Road. He has performed in all 50 US states, all over Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he was named Fiddler of the Festival at Fiddler's Grove and, after winning the third title, was designated "Master Fiddler" and retired from that competition. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the Lincoln Center, as well as Carnegie Hall. In 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy for his album with David Holt entitled "Cutting Loose". He currently is on faculty at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville and performs all over the world.

2025

September 13

Table Rock September Storytelling - Burke Arts Council - Morganton, NC - 7pm

September 21

The Earle Theatre - Mount Airy, NC - 3pm

September 27

House Concert w/ Dylan Morris - Woodfin, NC - private event

October 3-5

The National Storytelling Festival - Jonesborough, TN - emcee only

October 9-11

Sandbar Storytelling Festival - Saint Mary's University - Winona, MN

October 23-26

Ojai Storytelling Festival - Libbey Bowl - Ojai, CA

November 7-9

National Folk Festival w/Dale Ann Bradley - Jackson, MS

November 12

Honalee Home House Concert - Tellico Plains, TN - 7pm

November 21

Blue Ridge Holler - Diana Wortham Theatre - Asheville, NC - 7:30pm

November 23

Storytelling Event - Blue Ridge Folk Arts Center - Asheville, NC - 2pm

December 6

Storytelling Arts of Indiana w/Michael Reno Harrell - Indiana Historical Society - Indianapolis, IN

December 10

Folk Advent - First Baptist Church - Asheville, NC - 7pm

December 12

International Storytelling Center w/Michael Reno Harrell - Jonesborough, TN

December 13

The White Horse - Black Mountain, NC - 8pm

2026

January 23-24

Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival - Troy University - Troy, AL

February 7

Bynum Front Porch w/Michael Reno Harrell - Pittsboro, NC - 7pm

February 17-18

Storytelling at Florida Gulf Coast University - Fort Myers, FL - 7:30pm

March 26-29

Kruger Academy - Wilkesboro, NC - instructor

April 4-10

Colorado College Retreat - Colorado Springs, CO - private event

April 16-18

Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival - Camp Bethel - Fincastle, VA

May 7-10

Paris Storytelling Festival - Paris, KY

June 5-6

Flatwater Tales - Oak Ridge, TN

June 21-26

Kaufman Acoustic Kamp - Maryville College - Maryville, TN - instructor

July 16

Bill's Creek Community Center - Lake Lure, NC

July 23

Athens State University w/Michael Reno Harrell - McCandless Hall - Athens, AL

July 24

St. Mark's Episcopal Church w/Michael Reno Harrell - Parish Hall - LaGrange, GA

July 25

Concert w/Michael Reno Harrell - Dublin, GA

August 20

Concert at Givens Estates - Asheville, NC - 7pm

August 21

Concert at Tryon Estates - Columbus, NC

September 18 -19

Wilmore Storytelling Festival - Wilmore Municipal Center - Wilmore, KY

October 1-4

National Storytelling Festival - Jonesborough, TN

October 9

ACDA Conference w/Zoe and Cloyd - private event

October 10-15

Black Mountain Music Festival - Black Mountain, NC - instructor

November 12-15

St. Louis Storytelling Festival - St. Louis, MO

2028

March 2-5

Azalea Storytelling Festival - LaGrange, GA